Born to Be Wild

Margaret Heller, an animal behavioral scientist, punishes her rebellious 14-year-old son Rick for stealing her car by forcing him to clean the animal lab. Although Rick resents the task, he unexpectedly befriends Katie, a research gorilla capable of communication. But just as their relationship begins to blossom, Katie's cruel legal owner takes the gorilla away in order to exploit her as a novelty act. Unable to cope with Katie's absence, Rick kidnaps his new-found friend, and the two begin a wildly adventurous road trip. (official distributor synopsis)